Motorized watercraft

ABSTRACT

A motorized watercraft is a vehicle that is used to transport a user across the water. The motorized watercraft includes a floating board, a control unit, a propulsion system, a power source, and a plurality of conduit stringers. The floating board allows a user to float above the water. The propulsion system is used to supplement or replace human exertion as a means of propelling the floating board across the water. The control unit is mounted to the deck of the floating board and is used to regulate the speed of the propulsion system and may be used to control lights which are mounted into the floating board. The power source is used to provide the energy needed for running the propulsion system and the lights. The plurality of conduit stringers run through the floating board, strengthening the floating board and providing channels through which wiring may run.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patentapplication Ser. No. 62/104,490 filed on Jan. 16, 2014. The currentapplication is filed on the next business day, which is Jan. 19, 2015while Jan. 16, 2015 was on a weekend and Jan. 18, 2015 was on a nationalholiday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to motorized watercraft. Morespecifically, the present invention is a solar powered watercraft whichused a plurality of conduit stringers to structurally reinforce thefloating board, while also providing an electrical infrastructure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Paddle boards and surfboards are widely used for activities on thewater. Both require that the user exert large amounts of energy in orderto propel the board. As a result, users are generally limited in termsof how long they can stay on the water and how far they can travelbefore exhaustion sets in. In contrast, motorboats and sailboatsgenerally require little to no physical exertion. However, various lawsand regulations are being put in place to limit pollution that is causedby the use of motor boats, thus putting restrictions on their use.Sailboats avoid the problem of pollution, but they require favorableweather conditions if they are to be operated.

Accordingly, there is a present need for a water craft that can aid orreplace user propulsion while also operating without releasingpollutants into the surrounding body of water. The present invention isa motorized watercraft that is powered using one or more solar panelswhich may be supplemented with energy from a battery or other form ofattachable power source. The various electrical components of thepresent invention are wired through a plurality of conduit stringerswhich, not only, allow power and data to be transferred throughout thewatercraft, but also act as structural reinforcing members which allowthe invention to flex without breaking.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top right perspective view of the present invention, showingthe remote control.

FIG. 2 is a top left perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom right perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of the present invention showing theelectrical connections which are made through the plurality of conduitstringers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describingselected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limitthe scope of the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the present invention is a motorizedwatercraft that is used to propel a user across the water. The presentinvention comprises a floating board 1, a control unit 9, a propulsionsystem 10, a power source 15, and a plurality of conduit stringers 18.The floating board 1 is a buoyant platform that is used to keep a userafloat while on the water. The floating board 1 comprises a hull 2, adeck 3, a fore end 4, and an aft end 5. In the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, the floating board 1 resembles a paddleboard;however, other shapes may alternatively be used. The fore end 4 and theaft end 5 are positioned opposite to each other across the floatingboard 1. The deck 3 is connected adjacent and along the hull 2. The deck3 provides a platform upon which a user may stand, sit, or lay. The hull2 is used to displace water in order to create a buoyant force which islarge enough to keep the user afloat. The control unit 9 provides ameans of regulating the propulsion system 10 and various other featuresof the present invention. The control unit 9 is mounted adjacent to thedeck 3, opposite to the hull 2. This arrangement is necessary to keepthe control unit 9 out of the water and prevents the control unit 9 frominterfering with the flow of water across the hull 2. The propulsionsystem 10 is mounted adjacent to the hull 2, opposite to the deck 3. Thepropulsion system 10 is positioned adjacent to the aft end 5 and may beused to supplement or replace human exertion to propel the floatingboard 1 across the water. The power source 15 is electrically connectedto the control unit 9 and the control unit 9 is electrically connectedto the propulsion system 10. This arrangement allows the control unit 9to regulate the speed of the propulsion system 10.

In reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, the plurality of conduit stringers 18is integrated into the floating board 1. The plurality of conduitstringers 18 traverses from the fore end 4 to the aft end 5 andstrengthens the floating board 1. The plurality of conduit stringers 18also allows the floating board 1 to flex without breaking. Moreover, theplurality of conduit stringers 18 provides a path through whichelectrical connections can be made. To maximize the strength of thefloating board 1 and provide electricity to all necessary components ofthe present invention, the plurality of conduit stringers 18 isdistributed across the floating board 1.

In reference to FIG. 3, the present invention further comprises aplurality of stabilizing fins 19. The plurality of stabilizing fins 19is mounted adjacent to the hull 2 and positioned opposite to the deck 3and is used to help the user maintain control of the present inventionwhile on the water. The plurality of stabilizing fins 19 is positionedadjacent to the propulsion system 10 and positioned opposite to the aftend 5. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, pluralityof stabilizing fins 19 comprises two fins; however, any number ofstabilizing fins 19 may be used in alternative embodiments.

In reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the propulsion system 10 comprises amotor 11, a propeller 12, and a propeller guard 14. The motor 11 ismounted into the hull 2 and positioned opposite to the deck 3.Specifically, a shaft of the motor 11 is mounted into the hull 2. Themotor 11 is used to rotate the propeller 12 and is electricallyconnected to the control unit 9. In order to protect the electricalconnection between the motor 11 and the control unit 9, a waterproofseal is positioned about the shaft of the motor 11 within the hull 2.The propeller 12 is used to accelerate water in order to generate thrustfor the floating board 1. The propeller 12 is operatively coupled to themotor 11 such that as the motor 11 rotates, the propeller 12 rotates. Acentral axis 6 of the floating board 1 traverses from the fore end 4 tothe aft end 5. The motor 11 is mounted along the central axis 6 and arotation axis 13 of the propeller 12 is positioned parallel to thecentral axis 6. This arrangement causes the propeller 12 force wateraway from the fore end 4, thus pushing the present invention forward.The propeller guard 14 is connected about the motor 11. The propellerguard 14 encircles the propeller 12 in order to prevent the user fromsustaining an injury as a result of contacting a spinning propeller 12.Furthermore, the propeller guard 14 helps to prevent the propeller 12from getting tangled in seaweed or striking against land, rocks, ordebris.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power source15 comprises a battery 16 and a solar panel 17. The battery 16 ismounted within the control unit 9 and is used to provide power forvarious components of the present invention. In reference to FIG. 1, thesolar panel 17 is mounted adjacent to the deck 3 and positioned oppositeto the hull 2. The solar panel 17 is positioned adjacent to the fore end4 and is used to recharge the battery 16. Under most situations, theuser will be situated adjacent to the aft end 5 of the floating board 1.Because the solar panel 17 is positioned adjacent to the fore end 4, theamount of sunlight that is blocked by the user is minimized. The solarpanel 17 is electrically connected to the control unit 9 through atleast one stringer from the plurality of conduit stringers 18. Becausethe electrical connection between the solar panel 17 and the battery 16is made through at least one stringer from the plurality of conduitstringers 18, any necessary wires are kept away from the user and areshielded from water. The battery 16 is electrically connected to thecontrol unit 9 so that the control unit 9 may be used to regulate howmuch power is directed to various components of the present invention.

In reference to FIG. 4, the present invention further comprises a firstmounting rail 20 and a second mounting rail 21. The first mounting rail20 and the second mounting rail 21 are embedded into the deck 3 and areused to mount attachments to the deck 3. The first mounting rail 20 andthe second mounting rail 21 are positioned offset from the fore end 4and are positioned offset and equidistant from the central axis 6. Thisarrangement ensures that the any attachments mounted to the floatingboard 1 are centered and do not cause the floating board 1 to tip. Inthe preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first mountingrail 20 and the second mounting rail 21 are L-track rails; however,various other types of rails may be used. The control unit 9 is mountedto the deck 3 by the first mounting rail 20 and the second mounting rail21. Furthermore, the first mounting rail 20 and the second mounting rail21 may be used to mount a seat, a fishing rod holder, a cooler, a fishfinding device, or various other peripheral attachments.

In reference to FIGS. 1-2, the present invention further comprises afirst lateral light 22 and a second lateral light 23, which are used tomake the present invention visible at night and in poor weatherconditions. The floating board 1 comprises a port side 7 and a starboardside 8. The port side 7 and the starboard side 8 are positioned oppositeto each other across the floating board 1. The port side 7 and thestarboard side 8 are positioned in between the fore end 4 and the aftend 5. The first lateral light 22 is mounted into the port side 7 andthe second lateral light 23 is mounted into the starboard side 8. In thepreferred embodiment, the first lateral light 22 and the second laterallight 23 are given corresponding colors which follow boating andwatercraft regulations. This arrangement makes it easy for people onother watercraft to identify the present invention and discern theorientation of the present invention. The first lateral light 22 and thesecond lateral light 23 are electrically connected to the control unit 9through the plurality of conduit stringers 18. This arrangement allowsthe user to easily toggle the first lateral light 22 and the secondlateral light 23 on and off.

In addition to the first lateral light 22 and the second lateral light23, the present invention further comprises a front light 24 and aplurality of rear lights 25. In reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, thefront light 24 is mounted into the fore end 4 and the plurality of rearlights 25 is mounted into the aft end 5. The front light 24 is used toilluminate the area in front of the present invention and is also usedto make the present invention easily visible from the front side. Theplurality of rear lights 25 is distributed across the aft end 5 and isused to make the aft end 5 of the floating board 1 easily visible. Thefront light 24 and the plurality of rear lights 25 are electricallyconnected to the control unit 9 through the plurality of conduitstringers 18. Similar to the first lateral light 22 and the secondlateral light 23, the front light 24 and the plurality of rear lights 25may be regulated by the control unit 9.

In reference to FIG. 3, the present invention further comprises aplurality of hull lights 26. The plurality of hull lights 26 are mountedinto the hull 2, opposite to the deck 3 and are used to illuminate thearea directly below the floating board 1. This is useful when fishingunder low-light conditions. In order to maximize their effectiveness,the plurality of hull lights 26 is distributed across the hull 2. Inorder to prevent water damage, the plurality of hull lights 26 iselectrically connected to the control unit 9 through the plurality ofconduit stringers 18. Similar to the other light options of the presentinvention, the plurality of hull lights 26 may be easily turned on oroff by the user through the control unit 9.

In reference to FIG. 5, the present invention further comprises anelectrical junction box 34. Because the propulsion system 10, the firstlateral light 22, the second lateral light 23, the front light 24, theplurality of rear lights 25, and the plurality of hull lights 26 arewired through the floating board 1, and the control unit 9 is mountedexternal to the floating board 1, a waterproof connection betweenfloating board 1 and the control unit 9 is necessary. The electricaljunction box 34 is electrically connected in between the plurality ofconduit stringers 18 and the control unit 9. The electrical junction box34 is mounted into the deck 3 and is positioned in between the controlunit 9 and the aft end 5. This configuration allows the control unit 9to be easily connected to and disconnected from the electrical junctionbox 34 to perform maintenance if needed.

In reference to FIG. 1, the present invention further comprises a cleat27. The cleat 27 is mounted adjacent to the deck 3 and positionedopposite to the hull 2. The cleat 27 is positioned adjacent to the foreend 4 and is used to secure the floating board 1 to a dock, to land, orto another watercraft. The cleat 27 may also be used attach a kite tothe floating board 1.

In reference to FIGS. 1-2, the present invention further comprises afirst grip 28 and a second grip 29. The first grip 28 is externallylayered over the port side 7 and the second grip 29 is externallylayered over the starboard side 8. The first grip 28 and the second grip29 are used to prevent the user from slipping off the floating board 1.Moreover, the first grip 28 and the second grip 29 help to make thefloating board 1 easier to hold onto while the user is carrying thefloating board 1 or while the user is getting onto or off of thefloating board 1.

In reference to FIG. 6, the present invention further comprises agyroscopic kill switch 30. The gyroscopic kill switch 30 iselectronically connected to the control unit 9 and is housed within thecontrol unit 9. The gyroscopic kill switch 30 is used to prevent thepropulsion system 10 from running if the floating board 1 is detected tohave tipped over. In the preferred embodiment, the gyroscopic killswitch 30 cuts power to the propulsion system 10 if the floating board 1tips more than 45°; however, any other angular threshold mayalternatively be used. Furthermore, in its preferred embodiment, thepresent invention comprises a kill cord. Similar to the gyroscopic killswitch 30, the kill cord is used to cut power to the propulsion system10 under certain situations. The kill cord is attached into the controlunit 9 and may be tethered to the user. The control unit 9 is configuredto stop the propulsion system 10 if the kill cord is removed from thecontrol unit 9. A removal of the kill cord from the control unit 9 ismeant to signify that the user has fallen off the floating board 1.Accordingly, the propulsion system 10 is turned off to prevent injury aswell as limit how far the floating board 1 travels from the user.

In reference to FIG. 4, the present invention further comprises acontrol panel 31. The control panel 31 is mounted into the control unit9 and is electronically connected to the control unit 9. The controlpanel 31 allows the user to control the propulsion system 10, the firstlateral light 22, the second lateral light 23, the front light 24, theplurality of rear lights 25, and the plurality of hull lights 26.Moreover, if the user attaches additional electronic equipment to thefloating board 1, the control panel 31 may be used to regulate suchequipment. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thecontrol panel 31 comprises a plurality of switches for each of theaforementioned components; however, other configurations, including theimplementation of a touch screen, may alternatively be used.

In reference to FIG. 1, the present invention further comprises a remotecontrol 32 and a wireless communication module 33. The wirelesscommunication module 33 is electronically connected to the control unit9 and is housed within the control unit 9. The wireless communicationmodule 33 is communicably coupled to the remote control 32, allowinguser to regulate the propulsion system 10, the first lateral light 22,the second lateral light 23, the front light 24, the plurality of rearlights 25, and the plurality of hull lights 26, while standing on thedeck 3. The remote control 32 may be used in conjunction with thecontrol panel 31 or may, alternatively, be used instead of the controlpanel 31.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A motorized watercraft comprises: a floatingboard; a control unit; a propulsion system; a power source; a pluralityof conduit stringers; the floating board comprises a hull, a deck, afore end, and an aft end; the fore end and the aft end being positionedopposite to each other across the floating board; the deck beingconnected adjacent and along the hull; the control unit being mountedadjacent to the deck, opposite to the hull; the propulsion system beingmounted adjacent to the hull, opposite to the deck; the propulsionsystem being positioned adjacent to the aft end; the power source beingelectrically connected to the control unit; the control unit beingelectrically connected to the propulsion system; the plurality ofconduit stringers being integrated into the floating board; theplurality of conduit stringers traversing from the fore end to the aftend; and the plurality of conduit stringers being distributed across thefloating board.
 2. The motorized watercraft as claimed in claim 1comprises: a plurality of stabilizing fins; the plurality of stabilizingfins being mounted adjacent to the hull, opposite to the deck; and theplurality of stabilizing fins being positioned adjacent to thepropulsion system, opposite to the aft end.
 3. The motorized watercraftas claimed in claim 1 comprises: the propulsion system comprises amotor, a propeller, and a propeller guard; the motor being mounted intothe hull, opposite to the deck; the motor being electrically connectedto the control unit; the propeller being operatively coupled to themotor, wherein the motor is used to rotate the propeller; a central axisof the floating board traversing from the fore end to the aft end; arotation axis of the propeller being positioned parallel to the centralaxis; the propeller guard being connected about the motor; and thepropeller guard encircling the propeller.
 4. The motorized watercraft asclaimed in claim 1 comprises: the power source comprises a battery and asolar panel; the battery being mounted within the control unit; thesolar panel being mounted adjacent to the deck, opposite to the hull;the solar panel being positioned adjacent to the fore end; the solarpanel being electrically connected to the control unit through an atleast one stringer from the plurality of conduit stringers; and thebattery being electrically connected to the control unit.
 5. Themotorized watercraft as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the power sourcecomprises a battery; the battery being mounted within the control unit;and the battery being electrically connected to the control unit.
 6. Themotorized watercraft as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a first mountingrail; a second mounting rail; the first mounting rail and the secondmounting rail being embedded into the deck; the first mounting rail andthe second mounting rail being positioned offset from the fore end; acentral axis of the floating board traversing from the fore end to theaft end; the first mounting rail and the second mounting rail beingpositioned offset and equidistant from the central axis; and the controlunit being mounted to the deck by the first mounting rail and the secondmounting rail.
 7. The motorized watercraft as claimed in claim 1comprises: a first lateral light; a second lateral light; the floatingboard comprises a port side and a starboard side; the port side and thestarboard side being positioned opposite to each other across thefloating board; the port side and the starboard side being positioned inbetween the fore end and the aft end; the first lateral light beingmounted into the port side; the second lateral light being mounted intothe starboard side; and the first lateral light and the second laterallight being electrically connected to the control unit through theplurality of conduit stringers.
 8. The motorized watercraft as claimedin claim 1 comprises: a front light; a plurality of rear lights; thefront light being mounted into the fore end; the plurality of rearlights being mounted into the aft end; the plurality of rear lightsbeing distributed across the aft end; and the front light and theplurality of rear lights being electrically connected to the controlunit through the plurality of conduit stringers.
 9. The motorizedwatercraft as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a plurality of hull lights;the plurality of hull lights being mounted into the hull, opposite tothe deck; the plurality of hull lights being distributed across thehull; and the plurality of hull lights being electrically connected tothe control unit through the plurality of conduit stringers.
 10. Themotorized watercraft as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a cleat; the cleatbeing mounted adjacent to the deck, opposite to the hull; and the cleatbeing positioned adjacent to the fore end.
 11. The motorized watercraftas claimed in claim 1 comprises: a first grip; a second grip; thefloating board comprises a port side and a starboard side; the port sideand the starboard side being positioned opposite to each other acrossthe floating board; the port side and the starboard side beingpositioned in between the fore end and the aft end; the first grip beingexternally layered over the port side; and the second grip beingexternally layered over the starboard side.
 12. The motorized watercraftas claimed in claim 1 comprises: a gyroscopic kill switch; thegyroscopic kill switch being electronically connected to the controlunit; and the gyroscopic kill switch being housed within the controlunit.
 13. The motorized watercraft as claimed in claim 1 comprises: acontrol panel; the control panel being electronically connected to thecontrol unit; and the control panel being mounted into the control unit.14. The motorized watercraft as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a remotecontrol; a wireless communication module; the wireless communicationmodule being electronically connected to the control unit; the wirelesscommunication module being housed within the control unit; and thewireless communication module being communicably coupled to the remotecontrol.